Celebrate Piedmont’s urban forest at April 27 Arbor Day event

Piedmont’s Public Works Department and Park Commission invite community members to join them in celebrating our city’s rich urban forest at the annual Arbor Day event on Thursday, April 27^th from 5 to 7pm at Community Hall (711 Highland Avenue).

The Arbor Day celebration is the culmination of a week of activities highlighting the nearly 12,000 trees that Public Works maintains in Piedmont’s parks and public spaces. In addition to a short program announcing the 2023 Heritage Trees, the open-house style event will feature:

• "Treekeeper" software demonstration: The City completed a citywide tree inventory last year, cataloging detailed information about all 12,000 public trees in Piedmont to better inform annual and ongoing maintenance. We'll have kiosks set up for community members to explore the database and get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the software that powers Public Works. Look up the tree in front of your house!
• Ask an Arborist booth: Have an ailing tree in your yard? Wondering what will thrive best on your property? Pros will be on hand to answer all your tree-related questions.
• Healthy and safe gardening demos: Learn how to keep newly planted trees healthy with gator bags and use compost to enhance soil structure, boost fertility, and improve water retention. Pick up a packet of wildflower seeds to bring some native color to your yard. New this year, the Piedmont Fire Department will be on hand with information on how to prepare your yard for fire season!
• Fun and photo ops for kids: Get a close-up look at the equipment Public Works uses in their work to keep Piedmont’s trees and public spaces healthy and beautiful at a “big truck” showcase in the courtyard. The Alameda County Clean Water Program will supply clean water coloring books to take home and have cut-outs of Clean Water mascots Fred and Izzy for photos at the event.

Food and drink will be provided inside Community Hall.

2023 Class of Heritage Trees

A short program highlighting the 2023 class of Piedmont Heritage Trees will begin at 5:30pm, emceed by Park Commission chair Tom Smegal. Piedmont Mayor Jen Cavenaugh will present nominators with their Heritage Tree lapel pins. Trees selected for recognition this year are:

• Ceanothus Trees at the Linda-Kingston Triangle, nominated by Patty Dunlap and Jamie Totsubo
• Copper Beech in Crocker Park, nominated by Alicia Bacon
• Mulberry Trees at Hampton Park, nominated by the students of Piedmont Play School and Walking on Wednesday group
• Palm Tree at the Piedmont Recreation Department building, nominated by the students of Hillside Pre-school
• Coast Live Oaks at the Tot Lot in Piedmont Park, nominated by Piedmont Connect and Connie Herrick

Nominators of Heritage Trees will be named on future signage marking Heritage Trees, listed in the interactive Piedmont Heritage Tree map on the City’s website, and featured in a KCOM Heritage Tree Showcase video.

Leading up to Thursday’s celebration, residents are invited to engage with the City’s trees by leaving a note of appreciation on one of five “gratitude trees” located in Piedmont parks or by participating in the 3^rd annual Arbor Week chalk art contest. More information on both activities is available at piedmont.ca.gov/ArborWeek2023.

The Arbor Day celebration, Chalk Art contest, and Gratitude Trees are all projects initiated and co-organized by the City of Piedmont Park Commission.